Just two days before his unofficial NBA debut, No. 3 overall pick LaMelo Ball said that he is ready for his first preseason game with the Charlotte Hornets.

Ball has participated in training camp for over a week now and feels comfortable in the Hornets’ system. He has asked his teammates plenty of questions to prepare ahead of the opener on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors, something that impressed Devonte’ Graham.

The transition to the Hornets appears to have been smooth to this point. Ball loved his first practice in training camp and has thoroughly enjoyed getting to know his teammates and coaching staff.

“Pretty much from the day I first got to Charlotte, to now, I have been loving it,” Ball said Thursday on a Zoom call with reporters. “Teammates, coaches, everybody genuine, nice and great. It’s an amazing vibe, for real. I love to be here.”

Ball said last week that the work he has put in has prepared him for this moment ahead of the preseason. He hasn’t played competitive basketball in over a year but feels as though he will be ready when his number is called on Saturday.

He enters the season as the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award but his exact role with the Hornets remains to be seen. By all accounts, though, he arrived in Charlotte ready to be coached with the right mindset and attitude, which hasn’t gone unnoticed.